At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Daniel 4:34-35

Would you agree that we live in a culture of superlatives? I’m guessing you would. People tend to love the most, the biggest and the best. Give me the most expensive car amongst my peers, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be happy. Give me the biggest house on the block and I’ll enjoy every second of pulling into the driveway of my mansion after a long day of hard work. Let me return home after the best vacation of my life and I will be far more productive in whatever it is I’m doing.

But there is a condition that our culture places on superlatives. We prefer the most, the biggest and the best as long as that particular superlative doesn’t try to exercise authority over us. Think of it this way—we are blest to live in a country where we know what it’s like to have the freedom to make choices and be in control. If you have enough money to buy a car, would you prefer to choose that car yourself? Or would you prefer to hand the money to a total stranger and have them pick out a car for you? When it comes time for you to find a spouse, would you prefer to wait for love and find your own? Or would you prefer to have your parents arrange your marriage? I find it interesting that a recent Gallup poll found over 90 % of Americans believe in God. I wonder what percentage believes that God is the “Most High” authority.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was the most powerful King in the world about 2600 years ago. And if you take the time to read through Daniel chapter 4, you’ll see that he knew it. As far as he was concerned, he was the “Most High” authority in existence. That was until THE “Most High” authority put him in his place.

So why are we looking at this portion of Daniel chapter 4 two weeks before Christmas? Here’s the point. As we approach the Christmas holiday, we have a unique opportunity to reassess things like status and authority. That’s because Christmas provides us with an opportunity to ask the very simple question, “Why?” Why did the “Most High” God take on flesh and become one of us? Why am I celebrating the birthday of my God? The answer to those very simple questions leads us to better understand who we are, and who our God is.

We are imperfect people accountable to the “Most High” God. That poses a problem! And Christmas is the answer to that problem. Christmas is the time of year when we see that the “Most High” God humbled himself to the point of being born a real baby boy. All so he could do what we cannot—live a perfect life! All so he could offer himself as a perfect sacrifice to cover your sins and mine!

This Christmas season, it’s my prayer that you would come to better understand your status and God’s authority. While on the one hand Christmas will no doubt lead you to see the reason you and I needed a Savior, I pray Christmas will also lead you to see just how valuable you are to the “Most High” God. So valuable, that he came to save you!